The September 18th Carved Stone

The September 18th Carved Stone

The September 18th Carved Stone is a cultural relic protection unit of Heilongjiang Province.

The September 18th Carved Stone is located in Luobei County, Hegang City. The stone measures approximately 155 centimeters in both length and width, about 70 centimeters in thickness, with a volume of nearly 3 cubic meters. It has an irregular saddle shape, and on the smooth sloping surface at the back of this massive rock, fourteen forceful Chinese characters are deeply engraved: “此石可烂，倭匪之仇不可忘，九一八” (“This stone may decay, but the hatred for the Japanese invaders must never be forgotten, September 18”). The stone is made of granite, yellowish-brown in color, and the characters resemble clerical script. The entire inscription is arranged in three rows from right to left: the first row reads “此石可??” (with wider spacing), the second row “倭匪之仇不可忘” (with closer spacing), and the third row is the signature “九一八”. Through extensive investigation and interviews, it was found that the stone was created by the renowned local patriot Wang Mingxian. Mr. Wang Mingxian was originally from Zhuzhou, Yexian County, Shandong Province. At the age of 14, he went to study in Russia and returned to China after the October Revolution. He settled in Taipinggou Village and made a living primarily through beekeeping. He was a progressive thinker with extensive knowledge, skilled in medicine and Russian, and known for his kindness and generosity. He often treated people free of charge and was deeply respected by the local community. The “September 18th” Carved Stone not only commemorates the deep-seated hatred of the carver toward the Japanese invaders at that time, but also reflects the heroic spirit of the Chinese nation in resisting foreign aggression. On February 7, 2005, it was designated as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit by the People’s Government of Heilongjiang Province.

Source: Hegang Tourism Bureau